Why Louise Thompson Doesn't Train With Her PT Boyfriend

Talking training and healthy habits with the Made In Chelsea star

By
Ally Head

17/01/2018

Instagram

The second installment of WH’s new feature series is here. Self-Health shines a spotlight on the women who are busy building a body for life through healthy habits. This week, it’s Louise Thompson. Discover what she credits her body to and what you’d find in her fridge.

Although Made In Chelsea earnt Louise Thompson her place in the spotlight, her talents stem far past reality TV. She has her own Fabletics range, a WH cover in her arsenal and is rather well known for those couple workout Instagrams.

The 27-year-old clearly invests in her health—a fan of Pilates and weight training, her new workout regime was the catalyst for a lifestyle change.

The pint-sized star is seemingly always working out or eating—woman after our own hearts—but how does she fit it all in amongst her hectic lifestyle? WH caught up with Louise to find out, and in the process discovered what fit kit she’d take to a desert island, her favourite foods and whether having a personal trainer for a boyfriend does have its workout perks...

DISCOVERING THE EXERCISE THAT WORKED FOR ME

“I don’t want people to think I’m only in shape because I have a personal trainer boyfriend. It’s really not like that at all.

“Yes, we train together sometimes and he taught me some good technique. But we don’t have time to do that every day and our schedules don’t always collide. It’s nice to have the companionship to walk to the gym together but we do different things. He likes what he does, for example he’s going to do chest and back days and I’m not into that.

“You have to treat exercise as something independent. You have to get there on your own, you can’t really rely on anyone else.

“Ryan as an actual human helped me get over a few of my demons from my past. It wasn’t just the whole PT thing.

BULK BUYING

“Meat is always going to be expensive but buying in bulk makes things cheaper. I make the most of the three for ten pounds offers. I love mince as you can make loads of different things with it. I’ll often make chili con carne with courgetti, meatballs, even burgers. Or, I cook a whole chicken and then make it into different meals, like chicken noodle soup or a stir fry.

I also eat a lot of grains—lentils are really cheap and you can get so many varieties. Even baked beans are a staple in our house and they’re super cheap. And eggs. Always eggs.”

GOING BACK TO BASICS

“If you are curious to learn exercises that require correct technique, my advice would be to invest in a PT once. Know what you want to ask them and focus on those questions specifically so you are not just covering stuff you already know. Then you can take that knowledge away and utilise it yourself.

“Some gym memberships are so cheap—EasyGym is literally £20 a month—and home workouts on YouTube are great. I’ll put Tabata on and do it on the floor in front of the TV. In London, there are lots of free classes. I used to do Zumba with ladies all ages and it was hilarious. It doesn’t need to be expensive.

“I don’t think that there are any excuses [to not workout]. There are luxury high-end-fancy-schmancy-members-club but I don’t go to them. My gym membership is basic. Although, it was still intimidating—I used to walk around the gym and find any spot that was free. But don’t be intimidated. Use the machines and just read what they say on them—they explain exactly what you need to be doing.”

KEEPING A WELL-STOCKED FRIDGE

“If you looked in my fridge right now, you’d find so many eggs. Eggs times a million. Brunswick ham—a very specific thin ham that Ryan loves—and chilies and garlic, my favourite cooking ingredients, always. We always have ketchup, I don’t even like it that much but I’ve started putting it with everything.

“We’re quite a meat eating family. We always have steaks, salmon and smoked mackerel. Spring onions, I love rich tasting food and they’re very pungent. Onions of all types. Feta, I love cheese even though I don’t eat an awful lot of it at the moment, and Parmesan. Gosh, I could eat it in chunks. And beers for when we do have friends round—although we’re quite anti-social”

HAVING FUN

“If I had to take one piece of fit kit to a desert island, I’d take a TRX. I’m actually quite good at TRX. You could hang it off a tree and workout. I really like doing press ups to knee tucks and jump squats.

“And also you could lasso it around animals and get coconuts down from the trees.”

Ally Head is the Junior Digital Writer at WH. Join me on Instagram - @allyyhead

Women's Health, Part of the Hearst UK Wellbeing Network
Women's Health participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.